NRTs designated in: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | Online NRT database

Designations for National Recreation Trail status in 2005

Secretary Norton Announces Designation of 37 New National Trails in 23 States.

WASHINGTON, D.C: Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton announced the designation of 37 new National Recreation Trails in 23 states, as part of the National Trails System, in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4th, 2005.

"The Interior Department plays a vital role in the public land recreation network, managing one-fifth of the land in the nation," Norton said. "National trails are a significant part of that outdoor network, providing an excellent opportunity for visitors to reconnect with nature and stay active and healthy in the process."

Today's announcement of 37 National Recreation Trails in 23 states totals about 580 miles. Since becoming Interior Secretary in 2001, Norton has designated 128 National Recreation Trails at a total of approximately 3,400 miles.

Along with inclusion in the National Recreation Trails System, each of the 37 trails announced today will receive a certificate of designation and National Recreation Trail markers. There are now more than 900 National Recreation Trails that have been designated throughout the United States, totaling more than 10,000 miles.

"Since its inception in 1993, National Trails Day has continued to showcase the health benefits of outdoor recreation on trails— whether it's walking, jogging or bicycling," said Norton. "National Trails Day has become an important event each year for promoting trails nationwide, especially National Recreation Trails and other components of the National Trails System."

Norton designated the 37 National Recreation Trails listed below as part of the National Trails System. For details of each trail and links to more information click on any highlighted state or trail name:

Alaska:

• Perseverance Trail

Arizona:

• Arivaca Cienga Trail
• Arivaca Creek
• Painted Desert Trail on the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Colorado:

• Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR Interior Trail System
• Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR Wetlands Loop Trail
• Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Trail

Florida:

• Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail

Idaho:

• Cress Creek Nature Trail

Illinois:

• Tunnel Hill State Trail

Maryland:

• Green Ridge State Forest Trail System

Minnesota:

• Rydell Refuge Trails

Mississippi:

• Kitty Dill Memorial Parkway
• Magnolia Trail

Missouri:

• Memory Lane
• Table Rock Lakeshore Trail

Montana:

• Lee Metcalf NWR Wildlife Viewing Trail
• Pacific Northwest Trail, Glacier National Park Segment
• Prairie-Marsh Boardwalk

Nebraska:

• Meadowlark Trail

North Carolina:

• Dark Mountain Trail
• Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway segment
• Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk

North Dakota:

• Cross Ranch Trails
• Munch's Coulee Hiking Trail

Oregon:

• Row River
• Woodpecker Loop

Pennsylvania:

• Oil Creek State Park Multi-Use Trail

Rhode Island:

• Blackstone River Bikeway

South Carolina:

• Mullet Hall Equestrian Trail System
• North Augusta Greeneway

South Dakota:

• Prairie Winds Trail

Texas:

• Doeskin Ranch Trail System

Virginia:

• DeHart Mountain Trail

Washington:

• Icicle Creek Nature Trail
• Oaks to Wetlands Trail

Wisconsin:

• Seven Bridges Trail

This year, National Trails Day is expected to bring one million trail enthusiasts out to events happening nationwide. Planned activities include guided hikes, bike rides, volunteer trail clean up projects and other trail celebrations. This year's theme "Take the Path to a Healthier You," continues to target the health benefits of outdoor recreation. Together with American Hiking Society (AHS), the National Park Service (NPS) and other agency partners, businesses, organizations, and individuals are putting on events aimed at highlighting the health benefits of enjoying the country's trails. National Trails Day offers a variety of activities for all ages and encourages families to get ready for summer by hitting the trails together.

National Recreation Trail designation is an honor given out to those existing trails that have been nominated and meet the requirements for connecting people to local resources and improving their quality of life. The national trail designation is part of a continuing campaign to promote community partnerships and to foster innovative ways to encourage physical fitness. The National Trails System Act of 1968 encourages the Secretary of the Interior to recognize existing community trails that qualify as additions to the National Trails System. The Act promotes enjoyment and appreciation of trails and greater public access.

The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service administer the program in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trail Web site: www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, also known as the Rivers & Trails Program or RTCA, is a community resource of the National Park Service. RTCA staff provide technical assistance to community groups and local, State, and federal government agencies so they can conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways. More information is available online at http://www.nps.gov/rtca.

Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. Details of the program may be found on the NRT website hosted by American Trails: (www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails). The National Recreation Trail Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities.

The National Recreation Trails Program:

Home Page
About
Trails by State
Photos
Designations
Applications
Benefits
News
Contacts

More resources:

Training
Bibliography
Quotations
Glossary
Acronyms
Tools
Products & services

The Bureau of Land Management is a supporter and partner in the National Trails Training Partnership: working to make training more available. The BLM Trail Management Process course is a comprehensive model for trails education.